Center for Rural Affairs – Policy Associate, Clean Energy and Agriculture & Conservation (Two Openings)

The Center for Rural Affairs is a nonprofit organization working from rural places to build a better rural future. For more than 50 years, the Center has supported beginning farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and first time advocates through research, policy, and community engagement. The organization values equity, inclusion, and practical solutions rooted in rural experience.

The Center seeks two Policy Associates to support research, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. These roles focus on turning policy research into action by working with rural residents, partners, and policymakers. You will help identify policy gaps, analyze solutions, and advance priorities that strengthen rural communities. Regional travel is required.

There are two tracks for this role. The Policy Associate, Clean Energy role is based in northeast Nebraska, northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, or southeast South Dakota. The Policy Associate, Agriculture and Conservation role is based in central or eastern Nebraska.

You will conduct policy research, monitor legislation and media developments, and develop written materials such as reports, white papers, blogs, and action alerts. You will engage with constituents and partners to gather input, support advocacy with legislators and local officials, and help build coalitions that advance policy campaigns. You will integrate the Center’s values into all aspects of your work.

You should bring strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear messages. You need experience managing multiple projects, engaging stakeholders, and working collaboratively across teams. The role values relationship building, inclusive leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to social justice and rural equity.

This is a full time, non exempt position with occasional overnight and out of state travel.

Salary range is $50,000 to $64,000 per year. Benefits have a cash value of $10,000 to $29,500 depending on family status and tenure and include 97 percent employer paid family health insurance with an HSA contribution, retirement options, employee assistance program, 12 paid holidays, paid time off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, Friday summer hours, and vacation and sick leave.

Location: In your cover letter, please clearly indicate the position of interest. 

• Policy Associate - Clean Energy: Location is flexible to the regions of northeast Nebraska, northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, or southeast South Dakota.
• Policy Associate –Agriculture & Conservation: Location is flexible to the regions of central and eastern Nebraska.

Click here to access the application.

National Agricultural Law Center – Staff Attorney, Ag Finance and Credit (Fayetteville, AR)

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture supports farmers, producers, and rural communities through research, extension, and policy leadership. The National Agricultural Law Center advances a national mission focused on legal issues shaping agriculture and the food system.

The Division seeks a Staff Attorney to join the National Agricultural Law Center. You will support research and writing focused on agricultural finance and credit. Your work will address issues such as secured transactions under the Uniform Commercial Code, agricultural liens, statutory trusts under the Packers and Stockyards Act and the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, and bankruptcy and debt management affecting agricultural operations. You will collaborate with senior staff attorneys and may oversee research fellows as needed.

You need strong legal research and writing skills and the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative research environment. The role is based in Fayetteville, Arkansas and requires in person attendance. The position is a two year appointment contingent on funding and performance.

Applicants must hold a J.D. or obtain one by May 2026 and be licensed to practice law in any state or eligible for licensure by November 2026. Preferred qualifications include experience or coursework in agricultural law, food systems, finance, or environmental issues and a law school GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Salary is $75,000 per year. The role includes full benefits. Required application materials include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, law school transcript, and three professional references. Applications must be submitted through the University of Arkansas System Workday site by February 14, 2026.

Click here to apply!

Noble Research Institute – Director of Policy (Remote)

Noble Research Institute supports regenerative agriculture, grazing land management, and producer viability through science, education, and producer engagement. The Director of Policy is a new executive role designed to build and lead the organization’s policy and advocacy agenda at the state and federal level.

Noble seeks a Director of Policy to design long range policy strategy, guide annual advocacy work, and strengthen the organization’s influence in regenerative agriculture policy. You will plan and execute policy initiatives, align internal resources, build reporting and evaluation systems, and brief leadership as needed. You will track developments in sustainable agriculture and ranching, monitor legislative opportunities, and evaluate positions across the advocacy landscape.

You will build relationships with policymakers, staff, and stakeholder groups. You will advocate for Noble’s policy priorities and coordinate direct outreach across the organization. You will draft legislative language, regulatory proposals, comments, and testimony. You will represent Noble in coalitions, manage partnerships, and participate in boards or commissions that advance policy goals. You will support public visibility through conferences, events, and media engagement.

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree and seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in agriculture, conservation, natural resources, legislative strategy, or government affairs. An advanced degree is preferred. You need strong strategy skills, policy experience, stakeholder engagement ability, and comfort working at the intersection of science, producer needs, and public policy.

Apply here!

Earthjustice – Associate Attorney, Sustainable Food & Farming (Washington, D.C. or New York, NY)

Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food & Farming Program works to strengthen U.S. food systems through litigation and advocacy. The team focuses on climate responsible farming, safe and healthy food, and fairness across the supply chain. Earthjustice partners with communities, scientists, grassroots organizations, and public interest groups to advance systemic change at the regional and national level.

Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney for the Sustainable Food & Farming team. You will support litigation and administrative advocacy while developing long term skills in public interest environmental law. You will research legal and factual issues, draft briefs, review agency records, prepare filings, and support arguments before federal and state courts. You will work with clients, contribute to coalition efforts, and integrate policy and media strategy into legal work. You will collaborate with senior staff while gradually assuming more responsibility as your experience grows.

You must hold a J.D. with zero to three years of legal experience. You need to be licensed or eligible for bar admission in New York or Washington, D.C. You need strong research ability, writing skills, judgment, and commitment to public interest work. You should be motivated by environmental justice and comfortable working both independently and within a collaborative team. The role values cultural awareness, community engagement, and willingness to contribute to an inclusive work environment.

Salary depends on experience and location. The range is $110,500 to $123,300 in New York and $105,000 to $117,100 in Washington, D.C. The position is structured as a three year attorney role with potential for extension. Benefits include medical coverage and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Applicants should submit resume, cover letter, writing sample with cover sheet, and law school transcript.

Apply here!

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – Senior Agrifood Systems Officer (Rome, Italy)

FAO drives global agrifood system transformation to improve production, nutrition, environmental outcomes, and quality of life. The Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division leads system-based policy, program design, and implementation across member countries. This position supports high level strategy and field application of system approaches across regions.

FAO seeks a Senior Agrifood Systems Officer. You will lead work that advances agrifood system transformation with a focus on country implementation and integrated systems practices. You will oversee operations that use evidence based planning, monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive learning. You will guide research, help shape international standards, and support policy advisory services for member governments.

You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, contribute to strategic plans and budgets, develop tools and frameworks, and support learning activities. You will represent FAO at global meetings, cultivate partnerships, and support resource mobilization. You will engage with finance networks, academic institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and innovation partners to accelerate transformation. You will help integrate systems thinking into national and subnational governance structures, support communication of results, and oversee knowledge exchange.

Applicants need a master’s degree or higher in fields linked to agrifood systems such as agricultural sciences, food policy, public health, systems dynamics, ecology, nutrition, sociology, or economics. You need ten years of relevant experience including system-focused initiatives across sectors. You need proficiency in English and working knowledge of at least one additional FAO language such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese. Experience across field settings is essential.

Candidates benefit from expertise in nexus-based agrifood planning, data analysis, and coordination of diverse stakeholder groups. A PhD is preferred.

Apply here!

Pets + People – Director of Regulatory and Compliance (New York, NY)

Pets + People develops licensed products for families and their pets, bringing recognizable brands into pet, household, and lifestyle categories. The company has operated since 2008 with a core focus on licensing, later expanding into broader consumer markets. Pets + People now supports products across global channels with a growing team based in New York City.

Pets + People seeks a Director of Regulatory and Compliance. You will oversee global regulatory strategy, product compliance, and team leadership across multiple product categories. You will manage regulatory risk, lead product approvals, guide third party certification, and ensure compliance with requirements across consumer packaged goods including food, OTC, cosmetics, and related goods. You will build regulatory processes, drive continuous improvement, and represent the company with regulatory bodies and industry groups.

You need knowledge of global regulations and experience engaging with FDA, AAFCO, NASC, Amazon, customs requirements, and international product standards. You will direct label review, claims review, product testing coordination, ingredient review, and market access approvals. You will lead compliance documentation, SOP development, training efforts, and internal reporting. You will oversee hiring, performance, and development of the regulatory team, and guide compliance planning for new product launches and new market expansion.

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in a scientific or regulatory discipline, with advanced certification preferred. You need ten or more years in regulatory affairs plus leadership experience managing teams. You need experience in risk assessment, audits, product safety, regulatory strategy, and cross functional collaboration.

Salary not listed. The role offers a hybrid schedule with three in office days, two remote, 20 work from anywhere days, paid time off, health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, and a pet friendly workplace.

Apply here!

Ferrara – Senior Regulatory Specialist (Chicago, IL)

Ferrara is a leading sugar confectioner in the U.S. with more than 115 years of brand history. The company produces well known products like Brach’s, NERDS, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy, Trolli, and Jelly Belly. Ferrara reaches more than 66 million U.S. households each year and operates globally through its manufacturing, distribution, and innovation network.

Ferrara seeks a Senior Regulatory Specialist. You will support formulation development, ingredient approvals, claim substantiation, and label development for U.S. iconic, seasonal, and Jelly Belly branded confectionery and dietary supplement products. You will review formulas and artwork, prepare label copy, manage raw material registration, and work directly with cross functional teams. You will guide Associate and Specialist level regulatory staff and support certification work for Kosher, Organic, Gluten Free, Non GMO, and other third party programs.

You need a B.S. in food science, nutrition, biology, or a related field. You need seven years of food or supplement industry experience including at least five years applying labeling regulations for consumer packaged goods. You should know 21 CFR, DSHEA, standards of identity, ingredient functionality, and nutrition regulations. You should have experience with SAP, Microsoft Office, Food Label Review software, PLM platforms, and SharePoint. You need accuracy, confidentiality, autonomy, and the ability to manage competing timelines. The role is hybrid with at least three days weekly onsite in Chicago.

Salary range is $80,325 to $112,455 per year. Benefits include medical, dental, 401(k), PTO, professional development, and eligibility for annual bonus based on company performance.

Apply here!

Certification Specialist - Organic Certifiers (Remote)

Organic Certifiers supports producers and handlers in maintaining compliance with USDA organic standards. The organization provides review, verification, and certification services that help organic businesses remain compliant, transparent, and aligned with federal regulations.

Organic Certifiers seeks a Certification Specialist. You will serve as the main point of contact for organic clients, review applications for certification, evaluate compliance with organic standards, interpret data, and issue reports. You will help clients understand requirements, resolve non compliance issues, and support approval decisions. You will contribute to certification system development and conduct document reviews and desk audits.

You need knowledge of organic production or handling, USDA organic regulations, and certification review processes. You should have education, training, or experience in agriculture or science fields linked to organic compliance work. You must be able to evaluate technical information, assess certification criteria, and review records for completeness. Strong written and verbal communication is expected along with proficiency in Word, Excel, databases, and email systems. You need strong organization and the ability to manage multiple files year round.

Training includes initial onboarding on policies, standards, and file systems, followed by supervised certification review. Ongoing requirements include industry update sessions, annual training, and continued skill maintenance in organic compliance, traceability audits, and certification review. Reviewers in year one must complete 50 training hours, while reviewers beyond year one complete 10 to 15 hours depending on assigned categories.

Salary not listed. Applicants with organic production expertise or certification review experience would align well with the role. Apply directly through Organic Certifiers.